Donald Trump says transgender hopeful can enter Miss Universe pageant

View full sizeMiss International Queen via The Canadian PressJenna Talackova, of Vancouver, British Columbia, speaks during a video interview at the 2010 Miss International Queen Competition in Thailand. The transgendered blond, who was kicked out of the Miss Universe Canada pageant, is urging her supporters to sign an online petition calling for her reinstatement.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Donald Trump wished a transgender woman who wants to be Miss Universe good luck on Tuesday as his organization said she can vie for Canada’s spot in the pageant.

The Miss Universe Organization said it actually made the decision Monday to let 23-year-old Jenna Talackova compete in the 2012 competition to become Canada’s contestant.

But a statement issued then had a caveat that confused Talackova, saying she could enter the pageant “provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions.” No further details were provided.

Talackova, a Vancouver resident, underwent a sex change four years ago after being born a male. Her sex change initially led organizers in Canada to disqualify her from the 61st Miss Universe Canada pageant in May, citing a rule that she must be “naturally born” a woman.

Talackova pleaded with the pageant’s leaders to drop the rule. “I am a woman,” Talackova said Tuesday. “I was devastated and I felt that excluding me for the reason that they gave was unjust. I have never asked for any special consideration. I only wanted to compete.”

“I do not want any other woman to suffer the discrimination that I have endured,” she added.

Talackova and Allred urged Trump to state that she can vie to represent Canada in the Miss Universe contest if she wins the Canadian contest. They also called on him to eliminate the rule.

In response, the pageant organizers issued a statement saying “Gloria Allred’s statements to the press today pay no mind to the fact that Mr. Trump and the Miss Universe Organization made the fair and just decision in allowing Jenna to compete in the Miss Universe 2012 Canada pageant.” It also said it’s evaluating its rules to ensure that type of issue does not occur again.

Allred did not respond immediately to a call and email seeking further comment after Trump issued the statement.

The statement also said Trump wished Talackova “the best of luck in her quest for the crown” as he would any other contestant.